Kampala, Uganda: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has nullified the election of Jacqueline Mbabazi as the party’s flag bearer for Member of Parliament representing Older Persons in the Western Region and ordered fresh elections within 14 days.
Jacqueline, wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, had initially been declared winner, but Tribunal Chairperson John Musiime, alongside members Nelson Kamuhanda and Esau Isingoma, ruled that the poll was riddled with irregularities, including ghost voters, over-voting, and inflated tallies.
The ruling followed a second petition filed by Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire, who had earlier contested the results but lost. In his review application, Mutabwire presented fresh evidence, including a certified copy of the voters’ register, affidavits, and video footage.
According to the certified register, 28 voters appeared more than once, five voters were illegally replaced, and three deceased individuals were listed as having voted. Despite only 364 eligible voters, the final tally reflected 430 votes, an excess of 66.
In its September 5, 2025 ruling, the Tribunal had admitted that 46 votes were wrongly added to Mbabazi’s tally but argued the error did not alter the outcome, as she still led by seven votes. However, the new evidence forced a reversal.
The Tribunal noted that both Mbabazi and Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, failed to respond to the fresh petition or submit documents in defense.
“The election was severely compromised. The irregularities were both qualitative and quantitative, making it impossible to determine the true will of the voters,” the Tribunal ruled.
Mutabwire asked the Tribunal to declare him winner by 29 votes after deducting the illegal votes, but the panel declined, saying it could not engage in speculation without clarity on how the excess votes were cast.
This is the second nullification from the August 2025 NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections. Weeks earlier, the Tribunal nullified the election of Collins Tanga, son of Dr. Tanga Odoi, as NRM Youth League Chairperson over conflict of interest claims. That election was later repeated, and Collins reclaimed victory.
The decision to order fresh elections for the Older Persons MP Western Region slot underscores deepening scrutiny of the party’s internal electoral processes, which have in recent months been marred by petitions, irregularities, and repeated reruns.
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